Chemicals China Salts Greek - China

Stearic acid (first syllable pronounced either steer or stair) or 18:0 is a saturated fatty acid. It is a

waxy solid, and its chemical formula is C18H36O2, or CH3(CH2)16COOH. Its name comes from the Greek word stéar (genitive: stéatos), which means tallow. The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates.